Bangkok to Koh Tao by bus + ferry
Bangkok sits inland, so there is no direct boat to Koh Tao. The trip combines a comfortable coach down to the Gulf of Thailand coast with a high-speed catamaran across to the island, sold as one connected ticket. Compare day and overnight departures from Lomprayah and Boonsiri, book in minutes, and get your e-ticket by email. Fares start from around US$ 25.48 per person.
Bangkok to Koh Tao departures
Services run every day, all year round. Daytime coaches leave Bangkok in the early morning and reach Koh Tao the same afternoon in around nine to ten hours. Overnight coaches leave late evening and arrive the next morning in about eleven hours, letting you sleep on the way and save a night of accommodation. The times below show the scheduled coach departure from Bangkok and the ferry arrival at Koh Tao.
| Operator | Pickup point | Depart / Arrive | Duration | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BoonsiriDay | Khaosan Road | 05:00 → 15:00 | 10h 00m | from US$ 37.47 | Book → |
| LomprayahDay | Khaosan | 06:00 → 15:00 | 9h 00m | from US$ 37.47 | Book → |
| LomprayahDay | Pinklao | 06:00 → 15:00 | 9h 00m | from US$ 37.47 | Book → |
| LomprayahOvernight | Pinklao | 21:00 → 08:30+1 | 11h 30m | from US$ 25.48 | Book → |
| LomprayahOvernight | Khaosan | 21:30 → 08:30+1 | 11h 00m | from US$ 25.48 | Book → |
| LomprayahOvernight | Pinklao | 21:30 → 08:45+1 | 11h 15m | from US$ 37.47 | Book → |
| LomprayahOvernight | Khaosan | 22:00 → 08:45+1 | 10h 45m | from US$ 37.47 | Book → |
| BoonsiriOvernight | Khaosan Road | 22:00 → 08:30+1 | 10h 30m | from US$ 37.47 | Book → |
Times are scheduled and can shift slightly with traffic, weather and season. The fare for your travel date, along with live seat availability, appears the moment you search. Every service combines a coach from central Bangkok with the ferry crossing to Koh Tao on a single ticket.
One ticket, two legs
There is no direct boat from Bangkok to Koh Tao, because Bangkok is well inland. Your ticket covers the full journey in two connected legs: a long-distance coach to the coast, then a fast ferry to the island. Because both legs are sold together, the transfer at the pier is already arranged and you only book once.
1. Coach to the Gulf coast
Board a coach in central Bangkok, near Khaosan Road or Pinklao depending on the operator and departure. The coach runs south to the pier at Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, the closest mainland point to Koh Tao. Overnight coaches have reclining seats so you can rest along the way.
2. Catamaran to Koh Tao
At the pier you transfer straight onto a high-speed catamaran. The crossing takes roughly one and a half to two hours and arrives at Mae Haad on the west coast of Koh Tao, the island's main pier and the heart of the dive and beach district.
Choosing your departure
Both options use the same coaches and catamarans and cost about the same. The right choice comes down to how you would rather spend the hours, and whether you want to save a night of accommodation.
Daytime service
Leaves Bangkok in the early morning and reaches Koh Tao the same afternoon. You travel in daylight, see the countryside and the coast roll past, and arrive with the evening still ahead of you. Best if you sleep poorly on moving vehicles or want a full first night on the island.
Overnight service
Leaves Bangkok late evening and arrives the next morning. You sleep on the reclining coach seats, save the cost of a room for the night, and step off the boat ready to start your day on Koh Tao. Best for tighter budgets and travellers who can rest on board.
Who you'll travel with
Both operators run the combined coach-and-catamaran service on this route, with day and overnight options. Pick the departure time and pickup point that suit you best.
Lomprayah
Lomprayah is one of the best known names on the Gulf islands, running modern high-speed catamarans that link Bangkok with Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Coaches pick up near Khaosan Road and at Pinklao, and the ferry arrives at the company's own pier at Mae Haad on Koh Tao.
Boonsiri
Boonsiri pairs comfortable coaches with fast catamarans to the Gulf islands, with a convenient departure in the Khaosan Road area of Bangkok and a smooth connection through to Koh Tao Pier. It is a reliable choice for both day and overnight travel.
Booked right, start to finish
Instant e-ticket
Pay online and receive your ticket by email straight away. No printing, no paper, no queueing at the pier counter.
One booking, both legs
The coach and the ferry are sold as a single connected ticket, so the transfer at the pier is taken care of and you never juggle two separate operators.
Real human support
Questions before or during your trip? Reach a real person on WhatsApp who knows the route, not a chatbot or a call queue.
Book early, travel easy
Popular departures and the cheaper overnight seats sell out first in high season, so securing them online ahead of time pays off.
Before you travel
Bring your passport
Although this is a domestic trip inside Thailand, the operators require your passport. You enter your passport number when booking, and you should carry your passport to show on the coach and at the pier. Keep a photo of it on your phone as a backup.
Luggage allowance
Each passenger may bring one main bag of up to 20 kg plus a small piece of hand luggage. Larger bags travel in the hold of the coach and ferry, so keep valuables, medication and travel documents with you in your day bag.
Sea conditions
The Gulf crossing is usually calm, but it can get choppy during the monsoon months from late October to December. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding and sit toward the middle of the catamaran.
Travel in peak season
Koh Tao is busiest from December to March and again in July and August. Booking a few days ahead secures your preferred departure time and the lower overnight fares, which go first.
Onboard comfort
Bring a light layer for the air-conditioned coach, plus water and snacks. Power sockets are not guaranteed, so start with a charged phone and a power bank if you rely on it.
Getting around Koh Tao
Mae Haad pier is walking distance from many dive schools and guesthouses. For beaches further out, taxis and songthaews wait at the pier, and many resorts offer a pickup if you tell them your arrival time.
Where you start and finish
Coaches leave from a few central pickup points in Bangkok, depending on the operator and the departure you choose. Your confirmation lists the exact meeting point and time, so plan to arrive at least fifteen minutes early.
Bangkok pickup points
Lomprayah · Khaosan Road
154 Thanon Ram Buttri, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Lomprayah · Pinklao
147/1-2 Borommaratchachonnani Rd, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok
Boonsiri · Phra Sumen Road
214-216 Phra Sumen Rd, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Arrival on Koh Tao
Both operators arrive at Mae Haad on the west coast of Koh Tao, the island's main pier. It is within walking distance of many dive shops, guesthouses and the main beach strip, with taxis and songthaews waiting for trips further afield.
Beyond Koh Tao
Koh Tao sits on the same catamaran route as its larger neighbours, so island-hopping is easy. From Mae Haad you can continue to Koh Phangan in about one to one and a half hours, or on to Koh Samui in roughly two to two and a half hours, with several daily sailings from the same operators.
Travellers rate us
Booked the overnight Bangkok to Koh Tao and it was seamless. Clear instructions, easy pier transfer and the e-ticket worked perfectly.
Great value and quick replies on WhatsApp when I had a question about the pickup point. Would book again.
We took the day boat so we could see the scenery, and it was worth it. Booking online meant no stress at the pier and the staff knew exactly who we were.
Bangkok to Koh Tao questions
Daytime combined coach-and-ferry services take roughly nine to ten hours, leaving Bangkok early morning and arriving on Koh Tao in the afternoon. Overnight services take around eleven hours, leaving in the evening and arriving the next morning.
No. Bangkok is inland, so the trip combines a coach to the Gulf coast with a high-speed ferry to the island. It is sold as one connected ticket, so you only book once and the pier transfer is arranged for you.
Fares typically start from around US$ 25.48 per person for the overnight service and rise to about US$ 37.47 for daytime departures. The exact price for your travel date is shown the moment you search.
Daytime departures let you see the scenery and arrive the same afternoon. Overnight departures save a night's accommodation and let you sleep on the coach before the morning crossing. Both cost about the same, so it comes down to how you prefer to travel.
Pickups are in central Bangkok, around Khaosan Road and Pinklao depending on the operator and service. Your e-ticket shows the exact meeting point and time.
Ferries arrive at Mae Haad on the west side of Koh Tao, close to most dive shops, accommodation and the main beach area.
No. After booking you receive an e-ticket by email that you can show on your phone on the coach and at the pier.
You can bring one main bag of up to 20 kg plus a small piece of hand luggage. Larger bags travel in the hold, so keep valuables and anything you need on the way in your day bag.
Yes. The operators require your passport details at booking, and you should carry your passport to show on the coach and at the pier, even though the journey stays inside Thailand.
Yes. The daytime service leaves Bangkok in the early morning and arrives on Koh Tao the same afternoon. If you prefer to travel while you sleep, the overnight service arrives the following morning.
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